Flick keeps Lamine Yamal in contention and wants a perfect points haul before the break

Hansi Flick has not ruled out Lamine Yamal for Barcelona's match at Mestalla on Sunday, even though the forward did not train with the team on the eve of the game.

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He received a knock and we thought it was better for him to train separately, but he will travel and we hope he can play tomorrow. We will see.

“He received a knock and we thought it was better for him to train separately, but he will travel and we hope he can play tomorrow. We will see,” Flick told reporters. He said Barcelona is seeking “the full haul of points” before the first international break and praised the team's attitude and atmosphere.

Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat by Betis served as a warning, Flick said. “It is football, something that can always happen, and that is why we have to focus on what matters. It will be tough. We want to win, but it will not be easy.”

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The full haul of points

Flick also announced Barcelona's five-man captaincy group. Raphinha will serve as first captain and Pedri as second, while Eric, Frenkie de Jong and Yamal complete the group. Flick chose Raphinha and Pedri himself because they are regular starters; the players voted for the other three. He said he was satisfied with the squad's quality, but stressed that the team must compete in every match and training session.

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It is football, something that can always happen, and that is why we have to focus on what matters. It will be tough. We want to win, but it will not be easy.

Gabriel Jesus, Barcelona's latest arrival, is not yet fully fit but could play some minutes in Valencia. Flick said the Brazilian could feature in the second half and praised Raphinha's ability to contribute from the wing or centrally as a number nine. He also defended Jules Kounde, calling him “an incredible professional” and saying the challenge was deciding when he should play at right-back or centre-back.

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An incredible professional